| Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Heather Simmons that would ensure dialysis patients can have a designated support person present during treatment cleared the Assembly Health Committee on Monday.For thousands of New Jersey residents living with end-stage kidney disease, dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that often requires hours-long sessions several times each week. These treatments can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining, leaving many patients in need of additional support.“Dialysis is not just a medical procedure; it is a demanding and deeply personal experience,” said Assemblywoman Simmons (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “This bill was inspired by a nonverbal patient who was unable to have a support person present during treatment, despite relying on that person for comfort, communication, and advocacy. A3434 helps ensure patients can have a trusted support person by their side during dialysis when they need it most.”During testimony at yesterday’s hearing, Assemblywoman Simmons introduced Patty Bomba of Carneys Point, who shared her family’s experience advocating for her 29-year-old granddaughter living with multiple disabilities and end-stage renal disease. Bomba testified that when her granddaughter began dialysis treatment, her request to accompany her as a support person was denied. As a result, serious issues arose during treatment that she believes could have been avoided had she been allowed to be present.The legislation, known as the “New Jersey Dialysis Patient Support Person Accommodation Act,” would require dialysis centers across New Jersey to reasonably accommodate patients requesting that a support person accompany them during dialysis treatment. The bill would also require facilities to establish written policies regarding support person access, provide staff training, and comply with oversight from the Department of Health.Under the bill, dialysis centers may still establish reasonable health, safety, and infection control measures, provided those policies do not unnecessarily restrict access to a support person. Facilities that fail to comply would be subject to penalties, fines, or corrective action orders from the Department of Health. |